New Domestic Abuse Campaign Launches
13 April 2011, 12:59 | Updated: 13 April 2011, 13:18
A new domestic abuse campaign has been launched to encourage victims to seek help and support.
Each year Northamptonshire Police is called to more than 10,000 domestic abuse related incidents and works closely with partner organisations to help provide advice and support to victims.
The campaign is aimed at those people who may not think of themselves as victims of domestic abuse as well as those family members and friends who may have concerns about a relative or friend.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Frost, said: “Domestic abuse affects people from all walks of life, women, men and children and can be physical or psychological.
“Our primary aim in domestic abuse cases is to make sure that the victim is safe. Once that has happened we can work with them to see if a criminal case can be pursued and bring the offender to justice.”
Domestic abuse can take the form of harassment, manipulation, financial control, physical abuse, sexual abuse and psychological abuse and can impact on people from all walks of life.
The launch of the campaign also coincides with the first ever National Stalking Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the issue of stalking and how it can impact on victims.
ACC Frost added: “We take incidents of domestic abuse extremely seriously and offer as much assistance to victims as possible, whether that be helping them seek refuge, make a criminal complaint or find support from a partner organisation.”
Northamptonshire Police works closely with the Sunflower Centre, an organisation that has offered support to victims of domestic abuse in the county for the last 10 years.
Lucy Westley, Strategic Manager at the Sunflower Centre said: “We are supportive of anything that encourages the victims of domestic abuse to come forward and we welcome this campaign.
“Domestic abuse can have a life-long impact on its victims, their friends and family, and it is vital that people living with domestic abuse seek advice and support around their options so that they can make informed and safe decisions.
“Becoming a victim of domestic abuse, in whatever form it may take, tends to be a gradual process, but we want people to know that help and support is available whenever it is needed.”
There are many other organisations that can provide help and support to victims of domestic abuse, and the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Forum (Nordaf) works to ensure there is joined-up working by partners across Northamptonshire in the provision of support for victims.
And for the week beginning Monday, 18 April, a large number of these agencies working as part of the Northamptonshire Against Domestic Abuse NADA) group will be taking over a shop in St Giles Street, Northampton, where a permanent display will be in the window with information about domestic abuse.
There will also be timeslots available at the shop throughout the week for anyone who would like to seek advice on domestic abuse issues.
There are many organisations that provide help and support to victims of domestic abuse:
Northamptonshire Police: 03000 111 222
www.northants.police.uk/staysafe
Northamptonshire Sunflower Centre:
Northampton Office: 01604 233684
Corby Office: 01536 204691
www.northamptonshiresunflowercentre.org
Victim Support: 01604 603477
www.victimsupport.org.uk
Northampton Women’s Aid: 0845 123 2311
www.northamptonwomensaid.org.uk
Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire Women’s Aid: 01933 224943
www.wenwomensaid.co.uk
The Lighthouse Centre: 01604 250721
www.nricc.com
Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge: 01604 230311
www.nvcfr.org.uk
Relate: 01604 634400
www.relatenorthants.org.uk
Serenity (Sexual Assault Referral Centre): 01604 601713
For further information about local and national support organisations, please visit the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Forum website at www.nordaf.co.uk.